Border-Town Awakened

Kostrzyn, a small town with a population of 17,000 located in the western part of Poland, where the Warta flows into the Oder River, has experienced an exceptionally long and rich history.
The history of Kostrzyn dates back to the 12th c. and, as is the case with any city located on the border, it has been anything but quiet. The town has changed hands, been destroyed by fires and consecutive wars. The armies of Gustavus Adolphus, Frederick the Great, and Napoleon came and went through the city. In 1945, 95% of the city was razed to the ground when the Soviet Army marched past Kostrzyn. Only the remains of the Old Town and a true jewel of European stature, the ruins of a 16th c. stronghold, survived. The stronghold built by Italian constructors was a true masterpiece. The sites, forgotten for decades, are now being carefully restored. Since 1994, reconstruction work in Kostrzyn's Old Town, also known as "Kostrzyn's Pompeii", has been under way thanks to cooperation with Kostrzyn's sister cities: Spandau and Peitz. Last September, a cooperation agreement for the protection of military sights was signed by representatives of 17 towns from Poland, Germany and Russia that used to serve as strongholds. The work is difficult and expensive; however, it offers a great challenge for imaginative investors.

The fifty years following WW II were rather dull in the city. Only the "Celuloza" paper factory and a railway company operated there. Up to the end of the eighties, it was the back of the beyond, mainly due to military and political reasons. However, after 1989 things changed for Kostrzyn. The border was opened, Poland's economy assumed free market rules and a united Germany was established. This meant that the city could start employing its natural potential, which is its geographical location. If you look at a map, you will quickly notice that a strategic Central European railway and road junction linking the east and west of the continent is situated there. The Oder River, underestimated in the past, together with Warta constitutes a splendid inland waterway to Szczecin, Hamburg and other cities in Poland and Germany, linking the south with the north.
This opportunity appeared quite recently, but Kostrzyn knows well how to benefit from it. For several years, its communal infrastructure has been undergoing modernization and expansion in the city. What is more, new sites are being prepared for investments in industry, housing construction, hotels and the catering industry, as well as for services. In 1992, a railway and road border crossing point linking Poland with the EU countries was opened there. Ca. 10-12 million people and 6 million vehicles cross the point each year. In addition, what is probably the largest border bazaar in Europe has been established here. A marina and river harbor have also been modernized and expanded. Kostrzyn has quickly become a business foreground.

 It did not take much time for positive results to appear. First, came the Swedish, who bought majority shares in Kostrzyńskie Zakłady Papiernicze, formerly known as "Celuloza". Modernized by the Trebruk Corporation, Celuloza has become a leader in manufacturing specialist, offset paper.
 But that was not enough for Kostrzyn. On September 9, 1997, the Kostrzyn-Słubice Special Economic Zone was established. In Kostrzyn, it covers an area of 320 ha and 57 permits for conducting business activities in the area have already been issued. In March, the Croatian "Podravka" Company built a processing plant there. Other companies, such as ICT Poland (a paper manufacturer), a company manufacturing insulation materials for the construction industry, and a furniture manufacturer will soon complete investments there. According to city authorities, the majority of these businesses will commence operations in 2001 and 2002, and total outlays will exceed PLN 260 million. What is more, at least 1000 modern jobs will be created in Kostrzyn, including positions for young, qualified managerial staff.
 The city is still expanding. Due to its rapid economic development, a niche has opened in the market for businesses serving companies and institutions. Numerous banks, insurance companies, notary's offices and law practices have been opened in Kostrzyn. The border points have created the need for establishing a customs service, forwarding companies and many others.
 It is true that few cities have been endowed with such great opportunities. However, each one should look for new possibilities and benefit from them, just as Kostrzyn did. Not long ago, it was the back of the beyond; but now the border-town has awakened.
Marek Dański